Mark Todd of Ocean Youth Trust visited CYC, and gave a great talk on their important work.

Chichester Yacht Club welcomed Mark Todd on Sunday 11th November, for the second of the clubs Winter Lecture Series.

The Ocean Youth Trust (OYT) South is the only sail training charity to hold the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and  this year received the MCA/ASTO Sail Training Vessel of the Year Award. Mark Todd, OYT South’s CEO will talk about how they offer personal development through adventure under sail to young people aged 12 to 25.  The majority of young crew members come from vulnerable or disadvantaged backgrounds or face significant problems at home or at school; but there are also places for young people from mainstream backgrounds. Mark will talk about their existing vessel John Laing, a 22 metre ketch but also their new vessel Prolific, a 30 metre, exciting replica of an 1891 Lowestoft fishing trawler with a modern twist.
 
Mark skippered John Laing full time for 9 years and has worked in sail training for c 17 years. He is an RYA Instructor, RYA Examiner, a member of the Yachtmaster Qualifications Panel, Associate Fellow of the Nautical Institute (AFNI) and was the inaugural winner of the MCA/ASTO Award for Command Commitment to Sail Training.

Thank you to Mar